Cool Beans: A Crash Course in Coffee

by Debbi Donovan

We Americans are passionate about our coffee. Though we're drinking less coffee today than 30 years ago, more than half of us can't start off our day without a hot cup of java. We socialize with a cup in hand, we welcome its stimulating effects as a pick-me-up during our workday, and we sip it at the end of our meals. Coffee drinking is an enjoyable and important daily ritual to millions of Americans.

Evidence of our love affair with coffee is everywhere: Specialty coffee shops are found at almost every mall, and on every street corner. Gourmet coffee is now sold in neighborhood grocery stores. High schools are even selling cappuccino and latte in their lunchrooms.

Coffee 101: A Basic Crash Course

Selecting the Brew That's Right for You

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